Instagram Revives Myspace Nostalgia with New Music Profile Feature
3 min read
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Instagram Introduces New Feature Allowing Users to Add Songs to Their Profiles.
Instagram is taking a step back into the early days of social media by introducing a nostalgic new feature—one that will allow users to add a song to their profiles, similar to the classic Myspace days of the early 2000s. Announced on Thursday, August 22, 2024, the feature offers Instagram users another way to express themselves by showcasing their favorite tracks in their bio section.
The new music feature allows users to select a song from Instagram’s vast library of licensed music, which is also available for Reels and posts. Unlike Myspace, where the chosen song would automatically play when someone visited a profile, Instagram’s take on this feature puts control in the hands of the viewer. Users who visit a profile with a song will have the option to play or pause the track at their convenience.
Instagram is introducing a new feature, similar to MySpace, that allows you to add a song of your choice to your profile.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 22, 2024
Which song will you choose? pic.twitter.com/Vxhz41RbZ4
To add a song to their profile, users can simply navigate to the “edit profile” page, where they will find a new “Music” option. After selecting the option, they can search for an artist or song, choose a 30-second clip from the track, and set it to appear beneath their bio. This process is similar to how users select songs for Reels or Stories. Once the song is added, a small widget will appear under the bio area of the profile, displaying the song title and artist, along with a play/pause button.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, launched this feature in collaboration with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, whose hit song “Espresso” has been trending throughout the summer. As part of the collaboration, Carpenter’s official Instagram profile will offer fans an exclusive teaser of her upcoming single, “Taste,” ahead of the full album release of Short n’ Sweet on Friday, August 23. Currently, this profile music feature is the only way for fans to listen to the unreleased track before it drops.
In addition to the music widget, Instagram has introduced several hidden Easter eggs inspired by Carpenter’s new album. For instance, typing specific keywords like “Sabrina” or using the coffee cup emoji in Instagram’s temporary Notes feature will trigger a light blue theme. There’s also a Carpenter-branded chat theme that includes playful lipstick kiss designs, further tying in with the album’s aesthetics.
While the feature is currently limited to the Instagram mobile app, it offers users a new layer of personalization that hasn’t been seen on the platform before. For now, songs won’t automatically play when someone visits a profile, avoiding the autoplay feature that some found intrusive on Myspace. Instead, Instagram has designed the music widget to be an optional interaction, keeping the browsing experience smooth while still allowing users to add a touch of musical flair to their profiles.
The introduction of this music feature is another step in Instagram’s ongoing effort to diversify the ways users can engage with the platform and express themselves creatively. With music playing such a key role in personal identity and culture, Instagram’s music widget provides users a nostalgic nod to the past while keeping the feature updated for modern sensibilities.
To change or remove a song, users can easily head back to their “edit profile” page or tap the music widget on their profile. A menu will pop up, allowing them to modify or delete their current song selection.
As Instagram continues to evolve, this new addition may just be the first of many features designed to bring back the early social media vibes, while catering to the diverse preferences of today’s digital audiences. For now, music lovers on Instagram have a new way to share their personalities, one song at a time.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
